JP3012152B2 - Communication system and its use - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the processing of telephone calls in a communication system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Although various advanced ideas have been implemented and planned in the nineties, one of the more notable aspects of the last decade or beyond is call sequence transmission. Once this function is provided, the telephone service subscriber can be designated to transmit the following telephone number sequence to this communication facility. It enables a telephone number sequence transmission that continues to send calls to the subscriber until it "discovers" the subscriber. For example, the so-called personal easy
Subscribers to a "700" telephone number, such as Reach (EasyReach) 700 number, can be sent a telephone number sequence as specified below.

In the United States, subscribers with 700 telephone numbers
For example, a call made to that telephone number is first sent to this subscriber's office telephone number, and if there is no answer then the call is sent to this subscriber's cellular telephone cellular mobile telephone number, where If there is no response, the telephone number sequence transmission of the call, such as sending the call to the subscriber's home telephone number, becomes possible. As a representative example thereof, see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,125 (inventor: CWCreswell)
Other publication date: June 22, 1993).

[0004]

There is a need for a useful call sequence transmission system that continues to transmit a call to a subscriber even if there is a response with an intermediate number until the called subscriber is reached.

[0005]

The present invention solves this problem as follows and achieves technical progress. The communication system of the present invention includes the following means. First, there is reach telephone number storage means for storing a first reach telephone number and a second reach telephone number for a plurality of source telephone numbers. further,
When a caller makes a call to a predetermined source telephone number among the source telephone numbers, there is an extension transmitting means to the first reach telephone number for transmitting the call to the first reach telephone number. Still further, in response to a predetermined type of signal transmitted by the caller in the call, a second extension for transmitting the extension to the second reach telephone number after completing the transmission of the call to the first reach telephone number. There is a means to send extensions to reach phone numbers. Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described.

[0006]

FIG. 1 shows a public switched telephone network 100 which provides long-distance telephone services to its subscribers, such as those associated with telephone terminals S1-S4. The public switched telephone network 100 may include, among other things, a plurality of toll switching (TS) machines or stations, e.
15, 120. The public telephone exchange network 100 includes a plurality of operator position exchanges (OS
PS) machine or station, for example, OSPS 105. These exchanges and OSPS stations are connected to the toll network 11.
1 through 1. In addition, exchanges and OSPS
Is one or more local telephone offices (CO), for example CO5, 10,
15, which respectively handle telephone terminals S1 to S4 as shown. Here, the telephone terminal S3 indicates a mobile telephone terminal.

Further, the public switched telephone network 100
Has a service addition device 150, which processes calls placed to a subscriber of a personal telephone number service with a communication service profile associated with that subscriber. As described in more detail below, the information included in the communication service profile is information that can be entered and / or exchanged by the subscriber through interaction with the spoken dialog system. The contents are separately described below.

Generating a Subscriber Profile In a call from a telephone user, eg, telephone terminal S1, the following predetermined telephone number can be dialed to subscribe to its personal telephone number service. With this predetermined telephone number, the public telephone exchange network 100 sets up a connection to the terminal 160 to which the representative of the service side, hereinafter simply called the service side, is attached. As a result of the interaction with the service side, a unique personal telephone service number is assigned to the new subscriber.
In this embodiment, this personal telephone number is prefixed with its service code "700". There are four personal telephone numbers, a personal identification number (PIN) and a caller identification number (CIN).

As described below, a subscriber can define various call treatments for various CINs associated with the subscriber. Also, various billing modes are associated with these CINs. The subscriber's PIN and CIN are mutually identifiable by the number of digits forming these identifiers, eg, 5 and 4 digits, respectively. As a result of this further interaction with the service side, a data record defining the profile for this new subscriber is stored in the memory inside the service addition device 150 by the service side located at the terminal 160. Such a record 300 is illustrated in FIG. Here, one or more fields define the characteristics of the personal telephone number service as follows.

[0010] HOME. PHONE: Determines the home telephone number of the subscriber. SUB. PIN: It is also possible to define an assigned PIN for the associating subscriber and further define a second associating subscriber PIN. SUB. LANG: Identifies the particular language used in the announcement made to the subscriber. PHONE. NUM: A unique subscriber telephone number assigned to the associating subscriber, eg, 700-555-2234.
Is determined. NUM. MSG: Message for Associate Subscriber
Determine the number of stored voice messages in the service system (description omitted). NUM. CIN: Determines the number of CINs assigned to the associating subscriber. CFNUM. 1 to 3: Each call transfer number at the time of programming of the subscriber is determined. CALL. SEQ: When set, indicates the execution of the call sequence transmission of the present invention. CIN1 to 4: Define each CIN and its respective call processing specified by the subscriber. NU: Indicates that the field is not used or is not suitable for the present invention.

[0011] Once the profile information is stored in the record 300, the subscriber can subsequently access the service adding device 1.
This record can be updated to interact with 50 so that: It (a) seeks a specific call function, (b) changes one or more of its assigned CIN values, (c) changes various call forwarding numbers, or (d) activates call sequence transmission. A subscriber may update his profile by, for example, 0-700-55
5-2234, and dialing that service number in the public switched telephone network 100, for example,
The connection to the service adding device 150 via the OSPS exchange such as the OSPS 105 is set. In response to receiving the call via central office 5, OSPS 105 sends the call to service provider 150 via communication path 106.

In this embodiment, the path 106 is, for example, T
It can be a one-carrier audio channel. Also, the OSPS 105 sends the associated call information to the service providing apparatus 150 via the data path 107. The call information includes, among other things, (a) the calling and called party's personal telephone numbers, (b) an indication of the T1 channel transmitting this call, and (c) the unique OSPS 105 associated with this call. There is a call identifier. The OSPS 105 and the service addition device 150 exchange signal information (message) related to the call via the path 107 using the call identifier as described below. In response to receiving the call and its associated call information, service adjunct 150 translates the received called personal telephone number into an internal memory location from which the data record associated with the telephone number is derived. 3
Unload 00.

Next, the service providing apparatus 150 prompts the caller (subscriber in this example) as follows. That is, the caller identification number is entered, or if the caller has not been provided with the caller identification number by the subscriber, a pound sign (#) is entered. In this example, the calling subscriber enters his assigned PIN via his associated terminal keypad, for example, terminal S1.
In response to the reception, service addition device 150 compares the received PIN value with the PIN value contained in the associated subscriber data record. In this example, when the service providing apparatus 150 finds that the received PIN value and the data record PIN value match each other, the service providing apparatus 150 returns a previously recorded announcement to the calling subscriber. An announcement listing a number of call features that can be accessed and / or updated by a subscriber.

The announcement of the call function is the SU
B. It is provided in the language defined in the LANG field, and an announcement (1) as an example is shown below. "Welcome, this is a personal phone number service system. If you want to listen to your voice message, press -1. If you want to program or review the call forwarding number, press -2. Call home. Press -3 if you want or want to make a call, or press -4 if you want to access your caller ID.
Press -5 if you want to activate call sequence transmission. If you want to end this call-Press the star / pound symbol (* #). (1)

This announcement is the highest level audio "menu" in the menu "tree" sent to the subscriber, and responds to this menu by changing one of the numbers "1" to "5". When pressed, the system sends menus and submenus further down this tree, as can be seen from the description that follows. Assuming that in response to announcement (1), the subscriber has pressed the corresponding keypad button on terminal S1 and entered the digit "1":
The service providing apparatus 150 responds by responding to the NUM. Unload the contents of the MSG field. If this NUM. If the content of the MSG field is zero, the service adjunct 150
Sends a message to the calling subscriber indicating this fact.

If this NUM. If the value of the content of the MSG field is greater than zero,
Is the NUM. Return a message that recites the contents of the MSG field and send a menu inviting you to access the stored message. The subscriber accepts or declines the invitation by entering each number on the keypad. On the other hand, if the subscriber desires the program of the call forwarding number and inputs the number "2" in response to the announcement (1), the service adding apparatus 150 uses the call forwarding function. Respond with a menu announcement detailing the options available to this subscriber. An example (2) of an example of such a menu announcement is shown below.

"If you want to review the call forwarding number-1
push. Press -2 if you want to program the call forwarding number. To return to the main menu-Press the star / pound symbol (* #). (2) In response to the announcement (2), if the subscriber enters the digit "1", the service addition device 150 will perform voice accounting of the contents of the CFNUM.1 to 3 fields. And sends a menu to this subscriber that offers the opportunity to cancel any of the one or more of them. If the subscriber enters the number "2", the service provider 150 Prompt the subscriber to do something.

It is possible to input up to three types of 10-digit call transfer telephone numbers (in this example), to designate one particular type as a number to which a call is to be forwarded (or none of them). ), And prompts the subscriber to specify a date and / or time to perform a call transfer to any particular one of the call forwarding numbers. The service addition device 150 confirms the input of these various types of information by returning an announcement indicating them,
Send the change or the approval option to the subscriber. Once approved, this data is stored in the CFNUM. It is stored in one to three field association subfields. The selection of a particular number for which a call is to be forwarded during any of the time periods takes precedence over any activation of a call sequence transmission (described below) during that time period.

After the subscriber enters "* #" and leaves the call transfer function, the service adding device 150 resends the announcement (1). Assuming that the calling subscriber has now entered the number "3" in response to the announcement, the service provider 150 determines whether the desired call destination for this subscriber is home or somewhere else. Prompt to decide. Assuming that the calling subscriber has selected a call to another location rather than home, the service provider 150 responds by requesting the input of the ten digit telephone number for which the calling subscriber desires a call. I do. When this number is received, the service adding device 15
0 includes a data message containing the call identifier, the 10-digit telephone number entered by this subscriber, and a request to transfer this subscriber's call to this latter telephone number.
Send to S105.

At this point, the service addition device 150 transfers control of the call. If the subscriber indicates a home call desire, the home. The telephone number stored in the PHONE field is inserted instead of the message. In either case, as described below, the service provider 150 directs the OSPS to bill the subscriber's telephone service number for this call. OSP
S105, in response to receiving the data message, forwards the call to the telephone terminal identified by the called telephone number contained in the message as usual. For example, terminal S
4 (see FIG. 1) has the called telephone number,
The OSPS 105 sends this call to the toll switch 120 via the toll path 11. Next, the toll switch 120 sends the call to the terminal S4 via the telephone office 15. At that time, the OS
PS 105 generates a billing record to track time and charges for this associated call.

In order to manage the CIN of the subscriber, the subscriber is provided with a function capable of interacting with the service adding device 150. Briefly, this subscriber listens to announcement (1) and responds to it with the number "4"
To find this feature. In response, the service provider 150 sends the user a menu or submenu detailing a number of different options, including: It may be (a) adding, reducing, renaming and / or designating call treatments available for each caller identification number, or (b) menus and sub-menus detailing various options for reviewing such numbers. Menu. Sometimes this subscriber wants to be reached with the following telephone number sequence transmission:

It can be reached at any one of the various telephone number sequences, and more particularly, a call placed to another one of these telephone numbers may have an earlier time in this sequence. Even if someone other than the subscriber answers at the other telephone number, he or she wants to be reached at any of the telephone numbers. That is, the subscriber is not at the called location that took the call, but wishes to be reached at a location associated with one of the other phone numbers. To this end, the present invention provides the following mechanism. That is, even if the call has been completed at the telephone number prior to the sequence, i.e., "answered" the call, the call is directed to the telephone number of the sequence by a feature of the present invention.

This subscriber can request such a call sequence transmitting mechanism by inputting the numeral "5" in response to the announcement (1). In response, the service addition device 150 sends a prompt requesting the following input. It consists of (a) field CFNUM. Specifying the order in which calls are to be forwarded to the telephone numbers stored in 1-3, and (b) the date and time to perform this call sequence transmission, including the following options: It also has the option to perform a call sequence transmission until this subscriber cancels, or to perform a call sequence transmission in the case of activating single-number call transfer following activation of call sequence transmission as described above. Including.

The service adding apparatus 150 confirms the input of the various responses, returns an announcement indicating the confirmation, and sends a change or approval option to the subscriber. Once approved, this data is associated with the CALL. It is stored in each subfield of the SEQ field. Thereafter, when a user other than the subscriber calls the service number of the subscriber, the service providing apparatus 150 advises the caller that the call sequence transmission is being performed. Further, the service providing apparatus 150 advises the caller that the call sequence can be transmitted with the call transfer number of the subscriber as described in detail below.

Here, as a sufficient description range, the service addition apparatus 150 transfers the call to the terminal associated with the first telephone number via the OSPS 105, and the first telephone number is CFNUM. A specific telephone number among the telephone numbers stored in the first to third fields, for example, C
FNUM. The first telephone number and designation of this sequence, such as a one-field telephone number. If the called number is busy, or if the answerer of the call is not the subscriber, the caller can request a call sequence transmission, for example, with a star (*) symbol. Followed by a pound (#) sign. In response to receiving the request display signal, OSPS 105 terminates the connection to the called terminal, but keeps the connection to the calling terminal.

Next, the OSPS 105 reconnects the calling terminal to the service adding device 150. In addition, OSPS
105 sends, via path 107, a message containing in particular: It consists of (a) calling number and called number,
(B) the subscriber's personal service telephone number, (c)
The call identifier and (d) information indicating the caller's request for transmission of the call sequence. At this point, the service addition device 150 obtains the next telephone number in this sequence. The next telephone number is, for example, the CF of this association record.
NUM. It is a telephone number included in two fields. Next, the service addition apparatus 150 converts the call into the OSPS 105
Send to In doing so, the service addition device 150 sends a message, as described below, including in particular: that is,
(A) calling number, (b) new call sequence transmission number,
(C) the subscriber's personal service telephone number; and (d) the call identifier.

Similarly, if the next telephone number is also in use or if the response is for a party other than the subscriber, the caller can again request a call sequence transmission in the manner described above. In this case, the service addition device 150 sends the call via the OSPS 105 to the next telephone number in the sequence, for example, in the CF of the association record.
NUM. The telephone numbers stored in three fields. Thus, the present invention causes the caller to cause the service provider 150 to perform a sequence transmission to each of the telephone numbers specified by the subscriber until the caller reaches the subscriber. However, if the caller is still unable to reach the subscriber after sending the associated call at the end of the telephone number, the service provider 150 may provide an option to transmit a message to the called subscriber. To this caller.

Call Processing Referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 to 8, the following assumptions will be made. The caller can also be a subscriber, who is the subscriber's personal telephone number 700-555-2234.
Suppose you dial. As a result of first dialing zero (“0”), for example, the OSPS
The call is internally transmitted to the service adding device 150 from the switching system 105 through one of the T1 channels of the path 106. As described above, data path 10
Upon receipt of a call setup message containing, inter alia, the following contents via C.7, the service providing device 150 program responds to this reception by returning a dial signal of, for example, "bong" on this association channel. Inform the caller that the desired connection is set up (block 501). This call set up
The messages are, in particular, (a) calling number and called number, (b) O
It includes the specific call identifier that the SPS 105 will associate with this call, and (c) the channel on which to send this call.

Next, the program forms a message containing the received called number (eg, 700-555-2234) and a request to verify this number, which is associated with a database as described below. Send to the manager, and the database manager determines whether the subscriber record has been assigned to the called number (block 502). If so, the database manager returns a message to the transaction processor indicating that the called number is valid. Otherwise, the message indicates that the called number is not valid, causing the program to send an announcement on path 106 that the called number is not busy (block 503).

Next, a call termination message including the associated call identifier is sent on path 107 to OSPS 105, and the program ends the call (block 504). Upon receiving this call termination message, OSPS 105 terminates this call connection in the usual manner. If the called number is valid, the program sends a pre-recorded "welcome" announcement (block 50).
6) The announcement requires the entry of a personal identification number on the associated channel. The following is an example of the announcement (3).

"Welcome, this is a personalized call system. If you are calling from a touchtone telephone and have a personal call identification number, enter it following this pound sign. If not, just press the pound sign. "(3) Next, this program uses a PIN or CIN identification (ID).
The path 106 channel is monitored for receipt of the number or its # sign. For example, after 10 seconds, if neither the ID number nor the # mark is received (block 507), a re-input message is sent (block 509). If neither the ID number nor the # symbol is received at this time (block 510), the program sends a message indicating that the call is to be terminated (block 512) and terminates the call as previously described (block 512). Block 504).

The program, by contrast, knows that the caller has responded to the welcome announcement (block 507 or block 510).
The caller checks whether only the # sign has been entered (block 508). If so, the program proceeds to block 523 (FIG. 5). On the contrary,
If the caller enters an ID number, the program initiates a query to the database and enters it (PIN).
Or CIN) is checked for validity (block 51)
9). If the return message from the database indicates that the entry is not valid, the program checks whether the retry flag for the current call has been set (block 520). If the retry flag is set, this means that the invalid ID is the second input, and the program will execute block 512 and block 5
Proceed through 04 to end the call.

If the retry flag has not been set, the program sets the retry flag (block 521) and then requests that the ID or # be re-entered (block 509). If the database message indicates that the entry is valid, the program operates with the database to send the caller any voice message that could be stored in the database (block 513). ). Next, the program checks the input identification number (block 5).
22) Determine whether it contains a PIN, that is, a 5-digit number. If it is not a PIN, the program checks if call sequence transmission is active (block 523, see FIG. 5).

If call sequence transmission is not active, the program determines whether the call should be forwarded to the subscriber's home telephone number (block 52).
4) If so, unload the home telephone number from the associating subscriber record (block 525). Next, the program forms a Call Forwarding (CF) message that contains, among other things:
26). It consists of (a) the called subscriber number, (b) the calling number, (c) the telephone number to make the call, and (d) OSPS1.
05 is a call identifier associated with the input call. The program then determines whether the caller has entered CIN (block 528), in which case a specific billing code is entered in the CF message (block 529). Indicates that the fee is to be charged to the called subscriber.

If not, the program enters a different billing code (block 530) to indicate that the call is to charge the caller. Next, the program uses the data path that received the original call information,
For example, the message is transmitted on the path 107 to the OSPS 105 (block 531). Next, the program exits. If the program finds that it is willing to forward the call to something other than the subscriber's home telephone number (block 524), the program returns the associated subscriber record C
FNUM. Unload the phone number stored in one field (532) and as described above (to block 526).
move on.

It should be noted that, in the present example, the call is forwarded to the first call forwarding number, and even if the called number is in use or the subscriber is not at the called location, the call is forwarded to the next call forwarding number. Do not forward to the second call forwarding number. This is because call sequence transmission is not active. However, the CALL. If the SEQ field indicates that the call sequence transmission is active, the program sends an announcement on the channel that sends the call, as described above, indicating that the call sequence transmission is active (block). 535). An example of the announcement that the program (block 525) sends to the caller is shown below.

"This is a personalized call service. The person you called has specified a list of phone numbers that you can reach. You can send a sequence to these phone numbers. At any time, press the “star-pound” sign to proceed to your next call in the list, even if your call is answered. , Even if there is no "star / pound" sign, after 5 rings, it will automatically proceed to the next phone number attempt. Now, the first phone number attempt. " Prior to transmission, the program will store the CFNUM. Unload the telephone number stored in one field (block 533) and then form a call sequence transmission (CS) message (block 53).
4). (The content of the CS message is similar to the content of the CF message, except that the message type is for call sequence transmission.)

Next, the program checks whether the caller has entered an association identifier such as CIN (block 528). If so, the program inserts an indicator into the message (block 529), noting that the call attaches the charge to the subscriber's personal telephone number. If not, the insertion indicator notes that the call charges the caller (block 5).
30). Next, the program executes O
The message is sent to the SPS 105 (block 53).
1), This program exits. This service adding device 15
In response to receiving the zero message, the OSPS program (block 600, see FIG. 6) stores the contents of the message in a call record associated with the call (block 601).

Next, this program sends this call to the destination identified by the call transfer number contained in this message.
The PS 105 transfers (block 602). Next, if the received message indicates that the call sequence is not being transmitted, the program transfers control of the call to a normal call processing program (blocks 603 and 603-1). Otherwise, the program will:
Indicates that the caller has entered a call sequence transmission request *
The monitoring of the call connection begins upon receipt of the # symbol (block 604). At the time of this monitoring, it is also possible that any party other than the subscriber answers the call at the called location, and "hangs up" after a conversation with the calling party.
Can end this call.

When this happens, the central office serving this called terminal informs the destination toll switch, such as TS 120, of this fact in the usual way. Next, the destination toll switch sends a disconnect message to OSPS 105. Therefore, at the time of this monitoring, the program checks the reception of a disconnection message from the destination toll switch (block 604-1), and disconnects the transfer connection to the destination toll switch in the case of receiving this message (block 604-1). Block 604-2). Otherwise, the program checks whether a request for call sequence transmission has been received (block 605). If the request is not received, the program checks whether the caller has terminated the call (block 607), and if not, continues to monitor the call (block 607). Block 604).

However, if the program finds that the caller has terminated the call, the program completes the normal billing record if the call has been completed (block 608). The program then accumulates this record in a billing database where the billing center for billing each telephone call later processes its contents. The program then ends the call (block 60).
9) and get out. If the caller enters a call sequence transmission request, or if the called telephone number is followed by five ringtones without a response, the OSPS
The program (block 610, see FIG. 7) disconnects the call forwarding connection to this destination toll switch (unless previously disconnected (block 604-2)) and then retrieves its associated call record from memory. Unload (block 611).

Next, this program sets a "software flag" to a predetermined value when the call has been completed (blocks 612 and 614). If the call is not completed, the program clears this flag (blocks 612 and 613). Next, the program generates a billing record (block 615),
Therefore, attention is paid to whether the association call has been completed or not completed based on the value of the flag. The program then stores this billing record in the association database as described above. The program then forms a CS message (block 617) and sends the message to service provider 150 on its associated data path, eg, path 107 (block 618). Then the program exits.

Upon receiving the CS request message from OSPS 105 (sent in block 618, see FIG. 7), the service provider 150 program obtains a copy of its subscriber record associated with the service telephone number contained in the CS message. (Block 701, see FIG. 8). Next, the program stores the called number included in this message in the CFNUM. 1 to 3
Are compared in a predetermined sequence until they match the telephone number included in the field (block 703).
If the match is to the last number in the sequence, this means that all numbers in the sequence have been tried, ie the sequence has been exhausted.

In this case (block 702), the program sends an announcement on the channel identified in the CF message (block 704) and gives the caller the option to convey a voice message to the called service subscriber. send. If the caller accepts this option by entering an appropriate keypad (MF) font, such as the pound (#) sign (block 70)
5) The program forms a message containing the following in particular and sends this message to OSPS 105 (block 706). The message is a message containing the telephone number of the voice message service of the called subscriber and a request to transfer the call to the identification telephone number.

Next, the OSPS 105 disconnects the call from the service addition device 150 and transfers the call to the called destination. Then the program exits. If the subscriber does not accept this option, the program sends a disconnect message to OSPS 105 to terminate the connection (block 707). If the matched number is not the last number in the sequence, the program sends a CF Call Setup message (block 703) containing the next number in the sequence to the OSPS 105 (block 708). The program then exits, thereby transferring control of this call to OSPS 105. The OSPS 105 then sends this associative call to the destination identified by the latter next number as described above.

If the program knows that the number entered by the caller contains five digits (block 522, see FIG. 4), the program concludes that the caller is a subscriber. , Send announcement (1) to this subscriber via path 106T1 channel (block 52)
7). Next, the program waits for the selection (input) of this subscriber. Upon receiving this input, the program proceeds to the appropriate subprogram (blocks 532-1, 532-53).
2, 532-3, 532-4 or 532-5), to process this subscriber selection as described above. Next, one possible preferred embodiment of the service adding device 150 is illustrated in FIG. More specifically, the service adding device 150 connects to a plurality of network 100 exchanges 105.

As another embodiment of the service adding device 150, for example, each of the exchanges 105 may be a well-known 5ESS exchange obtained from the United States Telephone Company. In order to improve the reliability, the service adding device 15
0 is composed of two sections, and the elements of one section are duplicates of the other section. Therefore, the description of one section of the service adding apparatus 150 is the same for the other. In particular, each section has a collection of transaction processors 10 (11).
(11) connects to each of the exchanges 105 via the associating communication path 106. As described above, the communication path 106
May include, for example, a so-called T1 carrier line. As is well known, the T1 carrier line has multiple channels for transmitting each telephone call.

Each of the sections includes the X.D. 25 front end processor (FEP) 50, SNA processor 55, LAN 15, and disk memory 6
6 is associated with a computer 60. This X. 2
5FEP50 is well known in the art. 25, and the association section of the service provider 150 is the means by which call signal information is exchanged with the OSPS. That is, each exchange 105
X.50 sends the call signal information received by EP 50 via LAN 15 to its associating computer. 25FEP5
0 is provided. Similarly, the call signal information received by the FEP 50 from the associating computer 60 via the LAN 15 is sent to each of the exchanges 105.

In this regard, X.A. 25 FEP 50 further connects to its respective switch 105 which connects to transaction processor 10 in its association section.
X. The connection between the 25FEP 50 and the exchange 105 is indicated by a path 107 in FIG. The processing of the incoming and outgoing calls and the associated call information and the management of the database of subscriber records stored in the disk memory 66 are handled by the associating computer 60. -9000. In this regard, the computer 60 operates the service adding device 15.
0, to which transaction processor 10 (11) and X.0. The 25 FEP 50 serves to interface those correlating computers 60 with the switch 105.

In addition, as means for further improving the redundancy of the service adding device 150, each computer is connected to each LAN 15 as shown in the figure. As described above, a new subscriber record is input at the presence operation terminal 160. The terminal 160 connects to each section of the service addition device 150 via each SNA processor 55. Each SN
The A processor 55 executes a known IBM SNA protocol, for example, and uses each SNA processor 55 to
60 interfaces with each computer 60. Thus, the newly entered subscriber record is transmitted to both computers 60 via their respective SNA processors 55 and LAN 15. The computers 60 then store their new record or changes to the current record in their respective disk memories 66.

Also, the computer 60 sends the data link 45 from the other service adding device 150 to its associated data bridge 45.
A change to the new subscriber record or the current record can be received. Thus, each service addition device 150 holds an updated copy of each subscriber record in the manner described above. Next, FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of the OSPS 105.
0 and exchange fabric 405. More specifically, the call processor 430 controls all functions performed by the OSPS 105 according to a call processor program stored in the call memory 435. This feature includes regular telephone operators
There is a service and connection with the service adding device 150 described above.

More particularly, this connection includes the communication path 106
-1 to 106-N and a front end processor (FEP) 410. Specifically, a telephone call received via one of the paths 104 extending to one or more central offices is sent to the switching fabric 405. In response,
The switching fabric is connected to call processor 4 via bus 425.
Send the associated call information to 30. As described above, the call information includes the called number associated with the service addition device 150. In that case, that is, if the prefix of the called number is 700, the call processor 430 sends the call to the service addition apparatus 150 via one of the communication paths 106-1 to 106-M. To the exchange 405 to send

At that time, the call processor 430 sends the associated call information and the identifier to the FEP 410 via the bus 42.
5 and data path 10 as described above.
7 to the service adding device 150. Also, as described above, this OSPS, ie, call processor 430,
This call is associated with the call record stored in the memory 440. Alternatively, FEP 410 sends messages received via path 107, such as CS messages, to call processor 430 via bus 425. The call processor 430 then processes this message with the program, but with the message stored in the call memory 435.

More specifically, for a CS message that monitors the call connection to the caller for its call sequence transmission request, call processor 430 tells switch 405 to switch MF receiver 415-1 through 415-P. 1
Bridge the receiver to this connection. Thus, the connection is monitored as described above for the input of the call sequence transmission request. When the connection receiver detects the presence of a signal characterizing the call sequence transmission request, it signals the call processor 430 via bus 425. If the call processor 430 is satisfied that the request is valid, the call processor 430 indicates that the request is valid.
Via FEP410.

Further, the call processor 430 changes the configuration of the setting connection as necessary to disconnect the called party,
As described above, the caller is reconnected to the service providing device 150. If the message forwards the call to the identified destination in a normal call connection message from the service provider 150, the call processor 430 directs the switch 405 to disconnect the call from the path 106. Call processor 430 then directs switch 405 to set up a connection between the appropriate one of the toll network paths 111 and the incoming call connection as a way to forward the call to its destination. I do. In doing so, the processor communicates with CCS network interface 450 and C
It sends a so-called CCS message identifying this call to its destination via the CS network 250.

On the other hand, call processor 430 prefixes 7
An incoming call without 00 is sent via an interface or trunk 420 to one of a plurality of telephone operators. The operator is shown in the figure at operator position 455, which handles incoming calls in the usual manner. The above description relates to an embodiment of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can consider various modifications of the present invention as in the following examples, but they are all within the technical scope of the present invention. Is included. For example, if the call sequence send function is active, the service provider 150 may first send a call to the subscriber's home telephone, and then send the call to the telephone number in the sequence.
It can be seen that it is also possible to easily configure

Further, while the present invention has been described with reference to a caller inputting a particular telephone keypad signal to request a call sequence transmission, the caller is prompted to input this request. Obviously, it is possible to use a so-called speaker-independent recognition device for the OSPS. Such speaker-independent speaker recognizers are readily available, which use a word spot algorithm, where the word spot is used to spot words such as "call" and "sequence transmission." It has an algorithm. Furthermore, the present invention can be easily implemented in the following cases.

It includes: (a) receiving a call sequence transmission request from either the calling party or the called party, and (b) ending the sequence with one of the associated call forwarding numbers. Generate billing records only for answered calls,
Or (c) automatically place a telephone call in sequence to each of the call forwarding telephone numbers, even after the call is answered at that certain number, and the call (or called) is made.
No call sequence transmission request is required. Still further, in accordance with the present invention, when call sequence transmission is active, the caller "hangs up" before attempting all of the call forwarding numbers, but also re-sets the subscriber's personal service number within a predetermined amount of time. When dialing, it is also easy to send a call sequence continuation option to the caller so that the caller did not "hang up".

Additionally or alternatively, if call sequencer is active and the caller "hangs up" before attempting all of the call forwarding numbers, the system will immediately ring the caller's telephone. When the call is answered, the caller is notified that the unsettled number is still on the list, and the next number on this list unless the caller "hangs up" at this point. It is also possible to try. In the selection menu of this embodiment, call transfer of a single call (main menu selection "2") and call sequence transmission (main menu selection "5") are treated as separate management functions. Can be connected as a call forwarding function, where the subscriber specifies forwarding to either a single telephone number or a sequence transmission.

Further, the present system can be configured so as to allow a subscriber to determine a plurality of call transfer sequences, and a specific sequence among the sequences is identified by an identification code and becomes active at the request of the subscriber. It is possible. In this embodiment, the caller is provided with an announcement and instruction to transmit a call sequence only at the beginning of a call. However, other embodiments such as the following are possible. It can make such announcements and / or instructions at appropriate points in time throughout the call, for example, at the end of the called party of any answered call in this sequence, an announcement of the transmission of the call sequence. Statements and / or instructions.

[0061]

As described above, the call sequence transmitting system according to the present invention is a useful call sequence transmitting system which continues to send a call to a subscriber even if there is a response with an intermediate number until the called subscriber is reached. Communication network with reliability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication network having a service adding device that executes a personal telephone number service.

FIG. 2 illustrates a number of fields of a record containing profile information for a subscriber to a personal telephone number service.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the service adding device shown in FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a program for executing the present invention in a service position system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the service adding device shown in FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a program for executing the present invention in a service position system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the service adding device shown in FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a program for executing the present invention in a service position system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the service adding device shown in FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a program for executing the present invention in a service position system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the service adding device shown in FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a program for executing the present invention in a service position system.

8 is a diagram showing the service adding device and the operator shown in FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a program for executing the present invention in a service position system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a service addition device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing an operator service position system (OSPS).

[Explanation of symbols]

S1 telephone terminal S2 telephone terminal S3 telephone terminal S4 telephone terminal 5 (local) central office (CO) 10 (local) central office (CO) 10-1 to N transaction processor 11 (inter-city) path 11-1 to X. N Transaction Processor 15 (Local) Central Office (CO) 45-1 or 2 Data Bridge 46-1 or 2 Path 50 X. 25 front-end processor (FE
P) 55 SNA processor 56 path 60-1 or 2 computer 66-1 or 2 Disk memory 100 public telephone exchange network 104 path 105 operator position switch (OSPS) 105-1 or N operator position switch (OSPS) 106 path 107 path 110 toll switch or toll exchange (TS) station 111 (inter-network) path 111-1 to N (toll network) path 115 toll switch or toll switch (TS) station 120 toll switch or toll switch External exchange (TS) station 150 service addition device 160 (attended operation) terminal 250 CCS network 300 record 405 switching fabric 410 front end processor 415-1 to PMF receiver 420 interface Source or trunk 425 bus 430 call processor 435 call memory 440 memory 450 CCS network interface 455 operator position

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-1154 (JP, A) JP-A-3-159456 (JP, A) JP-A-61-278258 (JP, A) JP-A-4- 158658 (JP, A) JP-A-5-63826 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 3/42-3/58

Claims (20)

(57) [Claims] 1. Use in a telecommunications system,
A method for automatically routing a call placed to a particular called number according to a sequence of pre-stored telephone numbers associated with the particular called number,
The method comprises: responsive to receiving the called number, retrieving the sequence of telephone numbers; and responsive to a signal provided by the caller, wherein the call is one of the telephone numbers in the sequence. Routing the call to the next number following the telephone number in the retrieved sequence, even if completed. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said signal is entered from a telephone keypad. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said signal is a command spoken by said caller. 4. Storing first and second call forwarding telephone numbers in association with each of the plurality of subscriber telephone numbers; storing the stored from a caller to a number next to the subscriber telephone number. Extending a later called call to the first call forwarding telephone number; and in response to a signal provided by the caller, the call is completed to the first call forwarding telephone number Subsequently extending the call to the second call forwarding telephone number. 5. A method for use in a telecommunications system of the type in which an incoming telephone call originated by a caller is routed according to a sequence of telephone numbers specified by a subscriber, said method comprising: Retrieving the sequence of telephone numbers in response to a telephone call; selecting one of the sequences of telephone numbers; and routing the incoming call according to the selected telephone number; provided by the issuer Selecting the next one of the sequence of telephone numbers in response to the received signal; and, even if the call placed to the previously selected telephone number is completed, Routing the incoming call according to one of the following: 6. A telephone call placed by a caller by placing the telephone off-hook from the telephone to the subscriber and subsequently dialing a particular subscriber telephone number, the telephone remains off-hook. Wherein the method is used in a telecommunications system of the type routed to a sequence of telephone numbers pre-specified by the subscriber, the method comprising: responsive to the dialing of the telephone call, Retrieving a sequence of telephone numbers; and in response to instructions provided by the issuer, even if the call is completed to one telephone number in the sequence, the next number following the telephone number in the sequence Routing the telephone call to a telephone call. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the indication is a signal entered from a telephone keypad. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the indication is a command spoken by the caller. 9. The subscriber associated with the calling telephone and the particular telephone number during a single telephone call made by the caller from the calling telephone by dialing the particular telephone number. A method for use in a telecommunications system of the type in which an attempt is made to connect each location of a predetermined sequence of call forwarding locations pre-specified by said method, comprising: a call in response to said telephone call; Retrieving said predetermined sequence of transfer locations; and, in response to an indication from said caller, even if said call is completed to one call transfer location of said sequence, said calling telephone to said sequence. Connecting after the call forwarding location. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said indication is a signal entered from a telephone keypad. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the indication is a command spoken by the caller. 12. A sequence of telephone numbers pre-designated by a subscriber when a telephone call is initiated by the caller from the calling telephone by dialing a particular subscriber telephone number. A method in which a telephone exchange responds to dialing of said particular subscriber telephone number by routing a return call to the telephone, wherein said method comprises the steps of: Is maintained, but the telephone call is routed to the next number in the sequence, and even if the call is completed with one telephone number in the sequence, the telephone call follows the telephone number. A number in response to an indication from the caller. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the indication is a signal entered from a telephone keypad. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the indication is a command spoken by the caller. 15. A method for use in a telephone communication system, the method comprising the steps of: a) responding to dialing of a source telephone number from a calling telephone terminal; Establishing a connection between the telecommunications switching devices of the telecommunications switching device; b) from the telecommunications switching device to a first call forwarding telephone terminal pre-designated to be associated with the subscriber telephone number;
Extending a transfer connection to establish a connection between the calling telephone terminal and the first call forwarding telephone terminal; c) the connection between the calling telephone terminal and the telephony switching device. Monitoring for the appearance of a call sequence request from the calling telephone terminal on the connection; and d) the connection between the calling telephone terminal and the telecommunication switching apparatus. If it appears above, the connection is maintained and the calling telephone terminal and the second telephone call terminal are switched from the telephone communication switching device to a second call transfer telephone terminal pre-designated to be associated with the subscriber telephone number. E) extending the transfer connection to establish a connection between the call transfer telephone terminals of the first call transfer telephone terminal; e) responding to the extension of the transfer connection to the second call transfer telephone terminal. After any response by the terminal , Method characterized by comprising the step of performing step c) and d). 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps c) and d) are performed even after the first call transfer telephone terminal is answered and hanged up.
Method 5. 17. A method for use in a telephone communication system wherein a sequence of a plurality of telephone numbers is stored in association with each one of a plurality of called numbers, the method comprising: Retrieving an associated one of the plurality of sequences of telephone numbers in response to a call to a particular one of the called numbers; in response to a signal provided by the caller Routing the call to the sequence of telephone numbers, wherein, even if the call is completed in one of the sequences, the call is routed to a number next to the telephone number in the retrieved sequence. Features method. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein said called number is a personal telephone service number. 19. The subscriber telephone number is prefixed with "700".
The method of claim 12, comprising: 20. The method of claim 17, wherein each of said plurality of called numbers includes a three letter prefix identifying a particular type of personal telephone service.